The Protector – 2006

Realesed by Weinstein Company

Run Time 109 mins

Rated R

Director – Prachya Pinkaew

Sotry - Prachya Pinkaew

Screenplay – Kongdej Jaturanrasmee, Napalee, Piyaros Thongdee, Joe Wannapin

Cast:

Tony Jaa – Kham

Petchtai Wongkamlao – Mark

Bongkoj Khongmalai -  Pla

Xing Jing – Madame Rose

Nathan Jones – T.K.

Johnny Nguyen – Johnny

Sotorn Rungruaeng – Kham’s father

Damien De Montemas – Vincent

David Asavanond – officer Rick

Amonphan Gongtragan – Goong

Jon Foo – WuShu fighter

Lateef Crowder – Capoeira fighter

This film starts off in the boonies of Thailand, and takes us for a rollercoaster ride through Australia. The film’s star Tony Jaa from “Onk Bak” another good martial arts flick does all his own stunts without the use of ropes and strings…  The action is simply amazing, initially you’re waiting for the cool martial arts moves and then it just hits you, and you’re like oh that was cool!

Tony Jaa plays as elephant protector Kham in a journey of action that leaves us satisfied and ready for more. When the two elephants in Kham’s keep are captured and his father (also an elephant protector) left for dead, Kham goes on a quest for revenge and retrieval. Hoping to find the stolen elephants Kham follows a lead to Australia which inevitably brings him to the gangster infested streets on That-town. Kham battles through hordes of baddies as the film progresses to the big finale action bit where he literally breaks dozens of bad guy bones and inflicts some massive damage to all do-badders!

Cheesy dialogue followed by great action is the makings for a fun film, just when you start getting a hint a cheesiness that is soon replace by some extreme Muay Thai kick-boxing action. Leave it to Tony Jaa because he’s doing all his own stunts.

One scene contains over 5 minutes of uncut fighting action, which is probably one of the longest in movie history.  This scene reminded me very much of “Game of Death” starring the legend Bruce Lee! One sequence also shows Tony Jaa fighting a Capoeira style fighter, followed by a WuShu swordsman, and an oversized brute.

Weak story but STRONG action! Check it out!

4 out of 5 – Action carries this movie through. Editing of scenes was kind of awkward.

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